Frameless Food Guard System and Method

ABSTRACT

A system and method for a frameless food guard are disclosed. Unlike the prior art, embodiments of a frameless food guard do not comprise a support structure for support of the food guard panel components. Advantageously, one or more of the food guard panel components in a frameless food guard not only restrict access to food residing behind the food guard assembly but also operate to carry all or part of the load of the overall system. As a result, a support structure is not required, thereby minimizing the amount of surface that is not easily accessed for cleaning.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S.provisional application for patent having been assigned Ser. No.61/302,745, and filed on Feb. 9, 2010, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to food guard systems and, moreparticularly, to a food guard system that does not require a supportframe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Food guard systems, sometimes referred to as “sneeze guards,” arerequired by federal law for any cafeteria-style or self-service-stylefood establishment. Food guard systems are required to have a frontglass panel, often referred to as a main viewing panel, which provides abarrier between the consumer and food that may be either directlyaccessed by the consumer, i.e. self service, or served to the consumerby an attendant, such as in a cafeteria. Therefore, in general, thereare two types of food guard systems, namely, a self-service type of foodguard system designed to allow consumers to serve themselves (buffet)and an attendant type of food guard system designed to allow anattendant to serve consumers (cafeteria).

With food guard systems of the self-service type, an opening existsbetween the lower edge of the main viewing panel and the countertop toallow consumers to access food through the opening. With food guardsystems of the attendant type, the main viewing panel extends over mostor all of the vertical distance between the top panel of the food guardsystem and the countertop to eliminate the aforementioned opening. Inother words, in an attendant-type food guard system, the main viewingpanel separates the consumers from the food such that an attendant, whois located on the opposite side of the food guard system from theconsumer, is required in order to access and serve the food.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical cafeteria style, orattendant-serve, food guard system 100 known in the art. In thecafeteria style food guard system 100, a series of fixed panels,including a top panel 105, at least one side panel 110, and a mainviewing panel 115 are fixed to a support structure 120. The panelsoperate to define an open backed space over a food service counter (notshown), or some other surface (not shown), such that consumers may viewthe food through the panels without having direct access to the same.The main viewing panel 115 operates to define a plane that issubstantially vertical and perpendicular to the food service counter.Further, the leading edge 115LE of the main viewing panel 115 ispositioned such that the gap between the leading edge 115LE and the foodservice counter is minimized, thereby prohibiting consumer access to anyfood residing behind and under the system. Notably, when using thecafeteria style food guard system 100, food is accessed by an attendantthrough the open back of the space defined by the panels. The food isultimately served by the attendant to the consumer by passing the foodover the top panel 105 or around side panel 110.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a typical buffet style, or self-service,food guard system 200 known in the art. In the food guard system 200,the main viewing panel 115 and top panel 105 previously describedrelative to a cafeteria style system 100 is effectively combined, from afunctional standpoint, into a single main viewing panel 215. The mainviewing panel 215 is fixed to a support structure 220 along with atleast one side panel 210. Similar to the cafeteria style system 100, atypical buffet style system 200 operates to define an open backed spaceover a food service counter. Notably, the buffet style system 200provides some protection to the food from airborne contaminants, as doesthe cafeteria style system 100, but the leading edge 215LE of the mainviewing panel 215 is positioned well above the food service counter.Advantageously, when using a buffet style system 200, no attendant isrequired as consumers may directly access, i.e. self-serve, the food byreaching under the main viewing panel 215.

The prior art embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are typicalexamples of cafeteria and buffet type food guard designs, respectively.The prior art in food guard systems, not surprisingly, variessubstantially according to specific applications and/or aestheticrequirements and, as such, FIGS. 1 and 2 are included herein for thepurpose of depicting typical functionality and component combinationscommon across the industry and are not meant to represent the sum totalof food guard configurations currently known in the art. Regardless ofthe particular food guard embodiment that may be employed in the priorart, however, a common aspect among all is the inclusion of some sort ofsupport structure or frame, such as exemplary elements 120 and 220.While necessary in the prior art, the support structure of a food guardsystem can significantly complicate the process of keeping the systemclean.

In many food service establishments (if not all) that make use of a foodguard system, a priority is keeping the food guard clean. The panelcomponents, which provide the primary means of protection for the food,are easily wiped down, for the most part, and kept sanitary. Keeping thepanel components clean, however, is only part of the battle. Tothoroughly clean a food guard system, each and every component must besanitized. In many embodiments, keeping the entire system clean can be atedious task.

For instance, food guards can become unsanitary from any number ofsources including splashed food, air borne particles, contact withhands, contact with clothing, etc. Further, the contamination from thosesources can find its way to the surface of any component comprisedwithin the given food guard system or, perhaps even worse, into a hardto reach nook or cranny between components. Referring back to thetypical embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, thoroughly cleaning thenooks, crannies and recesses inherent to the support structure elementsor created by the juxtaposition of the support structure elements to thepanel elements can be nearly impossible. In fact, for many embodiments,a thorough cleaning would require nothing less than a full disassemblyof the food guard system so that each and every component could beproperly sanitized.

Accordingly, a need exists for a food guard system that minimizesinaccessible surfaces within the system, thereby providing forconvenient and efficient cleaning of the entire system.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments, aspects and features of the present inventionencompass a system and/or a method for a frameless food guard system.Advantageously, embodiments of a frameless food guard system minimizethe amount of surfaces, nooks or crannies comprised within the systemthat cannot be easily reached for cleaning. Further, embodiments of aframeless food guard system provide for an unimpeded view of foodresiding behind or beneath the system.

Embodiments of a frameless food guard system are comprised of a seriesof panels connected to one another via a series of connector components.The connectors collectively operate to mechanically couple one panelcomponent to another, thereby producing a substantially rigid structure.Further, the connector components comprised within embodiments of aframeless food guard system may be of a bracket style, channel style,adhesive, clamp or any other connector suitable for mechanicallycoupling with a panel. Importantly, while features and aspects of theconnector components comprised within various embodiments of a framelessfood guard system may be novel in and of themselves, inclusion orexclusion of any given connector component within a frameless food guardsystem will not limit the scope of this disclosure.

Panel components for a given embodiment may include side panels, mainviewing panels, top panels or any combination thereof. Importantly,unlike typical food guard systems known in the art, some, or all, of thepanel components in a frameless food guard system not only provide abarrier to food access but also are load bearing members of the overallsystem. Further, panel components may be comprised of plexi-glass,glass, metal, plastic or any material suitable for a panel component ina food guard system.

To be clear, food guard systems commonly known in the art rely upon asupport structure of some kind to mount and position the panelcomponents. Also, while some prior art embodiments are configured for“suspension” applications which hang over a surface, many prior artembodiments utilize the support structure components to actually securethe overall system to a surface. Regardless, the panel components ofprior embodiments are “passive” components included primarily for foodprotection and access restriction and, as such, are not load bearingmembers of the overall structure.

Advantageously, unlike the prior art, embodiments of a frameless foodguard system do not require support structure components. Rather, thepanel components themselves are configured as structural members thatmay actually carry/distribute the load of the overall structure oradjacent system components. As such, frameless food guard systems havevery few, if any, surfaces that are not easily accessed and cleaned.Further, because frameless food guard systems do not require a supportstructure, the view of the food protected by the system is not impeded.

Also, embodiments of frameless food guard systems may be suitable forcafeteria applications, buffet applications, or a combination thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 depicts a known cafeteria style food guard system, having aseries of panels fixedly attached to a support structure.

FIG. 2 depicts a known buffet style food guard system, having a seriesof panels fixedly attached to a support structure.

FIG. 3 is a non-limiting example of a frameless food guard system,configured for a buffet application.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the exemplary embodiment of a framelessfood guard system depicted in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a non-limiting example of a frameless food guard system,configured for a cafeteria application.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the exemplary embodiment of a framelessfood guard system depicted in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a non-limiting example of a scalable frameless food guardsystem featuring a series of panels, configured for a cafeteriaapplication.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the exemplary embodiment of a framelessfood guard system depicted in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a non-limiting example of a detachable accessory assemblysuitable for use with a frameless food guard system.

FIG. 10 illustrates the exemplary detachable accessory depicted in FIG.9 in communication with an exemplary cafeteria style frameless foodguard system such as the one described relative to FIG. 5.

FIG. 11 is a non-limiting example of a detachable accessory assemblysuitable for use with a frameless food guard system.

FIG. 12 illustrates the exemplary detachable accessory depicted in FIG.11 in communication with an exemplary cafeteria style frameless foodguard system such as the one described relative to FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments and aspects of the present invention provide a solution tothe above-described needs in the art, as well as other needs in the art,by providing a food guard system that does not require a support frame.An advantageous aspect of embodiments of a frameless food guard systemis that there is not a support frame to impede sanitization of theoverall system. Another advantage of a frameless food guard system isthat the view of the food residing beneath or behind various embodimentsis not obstructed by support components typically associated with asupport frame.

Turning now to the figures, where like labels represent like elementsthroughout the drawings, various aspects, features and embodiments of aframeless food guard system will be presented in more detail. Theexamples as set forth in the drawings and detailed description areprovided by way of explanation and are not meant as limitations on thescope of a frameless food guard system. A frameless food guard systemthus includes any modifications and variations of the following examplesas come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Unlike the prior art food guard systems described above with referenceto FIGS. 1 and 2, an embodiment of a frameless food guard system doesnot comprise a support frame but, rather, distributes the load of thevarious components across the panel components themselves in conjunctionwith a series of connecting fastener or bracket components. Such is animportant difference because the panel components in the prior art aresupported by a support frame such that the panels only provide for abarrier between a consumer and the food stored beneath and do not carryany of the load of the overall system (outside, perhaps, the portion ofthe overall load that is attributable to the given panel componentitself). By distributing all or part of the additional weight-relatedforces of the overall food guard system onto given panel components, afood guard system can be constructed without a supporting framestructure. The end result is a system that is both cost effective tomanufacture and efficient to keep clean once assembled.

FIG. 3 is a non-limiting example of a frameless food guard system 300,configured for a buffet application. The main viewing panel 315 of theembodiment is positioned such that its lower edge 315LE is raised abovethe surface upon which the system is mounted (not shown). As such, theparticular embodiment is suitable for a buffet application whereinconsumers may access food residing behind the embodiment in a self-servemanner. Again, embodiments of a frameless food guard system may besuitable for any number of applications and, as such, one skilled in theart will understand that the particular arrangements depicted herein areoffered for exemplary purposes only and will not limit the scope of aframeless food guard system.

In FIG. 3, it can be seen that the exemplary system 300 is comprised ofthree panel components including a main viewing panel 315 and two sidepanels 310. The panels are mechanically coupled via a series ofconnector components 320 that operate to bind the structure together. Inthe present embodiment of the system 300, the side panels 310 are loadbearing panels that carry the weight of the main viewing panel 315. Theweight of the main viewing panel 315, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, isdistributed to the side panels 310 via the connector components 320. Inaddition to carrying the load of the overall system, the side panels 310also provide protection and restricted access to any food residingbeneath the system. Also comprised within the food guard system 300 areconnector components 325 in communication with the lower edges of theside panel components. These “foot” connectors 325, while not requiredin all embodiments of a frameless food guard system, provide a means forsecuring the overall structure to a surface, such as a countertop, forexample.

Notably, in the exemplary embodiment of the food guard system 300, boththe connector components 320 and the foot connectors 325 comprise curvedor chamfered features that, advantageously, reduce surface areasusceptible to deposit of food or contaminants while maintaining an easefor being cleaned. That is, one skilled in the art of sanitation willunderstand that the curved profile and chamfered edges of the connectorand foot components provide for quick and easy wiping, scrubbing,washing or the like as such component profiles minimize nooks, cranniesand crevices that cannot be properly cleaned with traditionallyavailable cleaning supplies and techniques.

Another advantageous aspect of the frameless food guard system 300 isthat the connector components 320 are configured to position the leftand right edges of main viewing panel 315 to at least partially overlap(i.e., cover) the leading edges 310LE of the side panels 310. While suchpanel positioning is not required in all embodiments of a frameless foodguard system in accordance with the invention, many frameless food guardsystems in accordance with the invention are configured such that theleft and right edges of the main viewing panel 315 at least partiallyoverlap, or cover, the leading edges 310LE of the side panels 310 inorder to minimize the possibility that airborne contaminants may find away through a space between the side panels 310 and the left and rightedges of the main viewing panel 315.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the exemplary embodiment of the framelessfood guard system 300 depicted in FIG. 3. In the FIG. 4 illustration,the connector components 320 used for securing the main viewing panel315 to the two side panels 310 can be seen in isolation. Importantly,the particular connector components 320 depicted in the drawings are notrequired in all embodiments of a frameless food guard system. Someembodiments may employ an adhesive, a channel component configured toreceive the full edges of panel components, or any other connector meansknown in the art. Along these lines, it will be noted that features andaspects of various components comprised within various embodiments of aframeless food guard system, such as the exemplary connector componentsdepicted in the figures, may be novel in and of themselves. Even so, thescope of a frameless food guard system will not be limited by theinclusion or exclusion of any component, regardless of whether or notsuch component, in and of itself, comprises novel aspects, shown in thefigures. To this end, the embodiments depicted in the figures areoffered for exemplary purposes only and will not be construed aslimiting the scope of a frameless food guard system.

Returning to the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 4, the connectorcomponents 320 are configured in parts that are at substantially 90degrees to each other such that when mechanically coupled with the mainviewing panel 315 and a side panel 310, the planes defined by thosepanels are positioned substantially at right angles, i.e.,perpendicularly, to each other. Further, for the particular connectorcomponents 320 shown in FIG. 4, the panels 310, 315 are received ingrooves within the connector components 320 and held in place viaadhesive, a compression fit, a gasket or some other means for creating auseful coefficient of friction. Again, the connector components 320depicted are exemplary in nature and, even though the connectorcomponents used within an embodiment of a frameless food guard systemmay comprise novel features or aspects, the inclusion or exclusion ofany given connector component will not limit the scope of thedisclosure.

Further seen in FIG. 4, the foot components 325 are configured toreceive a fastener package 325F through a hole in the side panels 310.Also, as is known in the art, a fastener package may include spacers orwashers in order to minimize or alleviate movement of the fastenerrelative to the receiving component, i.e., a foot component 325 in theillustrative embodiment.

Advantageously, the foot components 325 and connector components 320depicted in the present figures are designed to have smooth, chamferededges and overall curved features such that crevices and recesses areminimized and, as such, are easily cleaned. Even so, such unique andnovel connector design, while desirable in many applications for aframeless food guard system, is not required in all embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a non-limiting example of a frameless food guard system 500,configured for a cafeteria application. The embodiment depicted in FIG.5 is very similar to that which has been described relative to FIGS. 3and 4. The main viewing panel 515 of the system 500, however, extendsall the way down to the serving surface, thereby preventing directaccess to food residing behind the system. Also, different from theexemplary embodiment of a frameless food guard system depicted in FIGS.3 and 4, the main viewing panel 515, in addition to the side panels 510,may be positioned to carry part of the load of the overall system. Forinstance, top panel 505, by virtue of being connected to side panels 510and main viewing panel 515 via top panel connector components 520T, hasa load that is distributed across both side panels 510 and the mainviewing panel 515. As such, in the exemplary FIG. 5 embodiment 500, eachof the side panels 510 and main viewing panel 515 serve “double duty” asa load bearing structural member of the overall system and as a barrierto food that may be residing beneath the space defined by the embodiment500.

Notably, although in the FIG. 5 embodiment the main viewing panel 515 isa load bearing member of the system, not all embodiments of a framelessfood guard will be assembled such that the main viewing panel, or anygiven panel for that matter, is a load bearing member. Also, it will benoted that the main viewing panel 515 depicted in the exemplaryembodiment 500 features a curved profile but such is not required in allembodiments of a frameless food guard system. Moreover, it will beunderstood that the description and claiming of panel componentscomprised in various embodiments as being perpendicular to,substantially perpendicular, at an angle to, or any other languageindicating orientation relative to, another component or reference pointwill not preclude any component from featuring a curved profile such asthe exemplary main viewing panel 515 of the system 500. Further, suchpositional language will be understood to not limit the relativepositioning of the given component being described.

Moreover, one skilled in the art will notice that the main viewing panel515 is dimensioned (and positioned via the connector means 520M) suchthat the forward facing edges of the side panels are covered. As hasbeen described, it is an advantage of such a design feature that foodexposure to air borne particle ingress through the “cracks” between thepanels can be minimized or altogether alleviated. Also depicted in theexemplary embodiment of FIG. 5 are multiple embodiments of footcomponents 525S, 525M. Notably, the foot components 525S shown beneathside panels 510 are similar to those described relative to the priorfigures. The main viewing panel 515 foot components 525M depicted in theexemplary embodiment are included for structural support of the mainviewing panel 515 and are not required in all embodiments. Unlike theside panel foot components 525S, the exemplary main viewing panel footcomponents 525M do not feature fastener packages for rigid attachment tothe panel or to the surface over which the embodiment is placed. Evenso, such features and aspects are exemplary and not necessarilycomprised within all embodiments of a main viewing panel foot component.To be clear, the foot components 525S and 525M are just two exemplaryembodiments of foot components that may be included in some embodimentsof a frameless food guard system and, as such, the inclusion orexclusion of either or any foot component in any given embodiment of aframeless food guard system will not be construed as a limitation onscope.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the exemplary embodiment of the framelessfood guard system 500 depicted in FIG. 5. For the most part, theexemplary components depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6 are comparable to thosedepicted and described relative to the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4.Notably, as described above, the exemplary foot components 525M shownbeneath the lower edge of the main viewing panel 515 do not requirefasteners. Instead, the illustrative foot components 525M comprisegrooves configured to receive the main viewing panel 515 and provideadditional support and overall stability. Again, the connector and footcomponents 525S, 525M depicted are offered for exemplary purposes andall embodiments of a frameless food guard system do not necessarilyrequire the types of connectors and foot components shown. Such isincluded and described herein for illustrative purposes only and willnot be relied upon to suggest that all foot components in a framelessfood guard embodiment that are configured to mechanically couple withanother component will comprise just such a fastener package.

FIG. 7 is a non-limiting example of an illustrative embodiment of ascalable frameless food guard system 700 featuring a series of panels,configured for a cafeteria application. Certainly, although theexemplary embodiment of FIG. 7 is depicted as a cafeteria styleconfiguration, it should be noted that other embodiments of a scalableframeless food guard system will be configured for other applicationssuch as, but not limited to, buffet applications.

Advantageously, many embodiments of a frameless food guard system of theinvention are scalable in that additional connectors may be employed toextend the overall structure for a given application. The scalablesystem 700 depicted in FIG. 7 is essentially an extension of that shownand described relative to FIGS. 5 and 6. Again, while the scalablesystem 700 shown in FIG. 7 is of a cafeteria style, one skilled in theart will understand that buffet embodiments may also be scalable.

Seen in FIG. 7, panel connectors 720E with opposing grooves are used toposition adjacent main viewing panels 715A, 715B in substantially thesame plane. Notably, one skilled in the art will understand that byreplacing connector components 720M, which are configured to position anend panel component 710 relative to a main viewing panel component 715,with expansion components 720E, an indefinite number of main viewingpanels 715C . . . 715 n (not shown) could be connected in series, thuslengthening the overall assembly. Also, a divider panel 710D may bepositioned behind the main viewing panels 715A, 715B . . . 715 n suchthat any “crack” or space between the main viewing panels is taken up bythe leading edge of the divider panel 710D. Advantageously, such aconfiguration may drastically reduce potential exposure of food to airborne contamination, as has been disclosed herein previously.

Also, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, each of the panel componentsmay be configured to bear all or part of the load of the overall system.As in all embodiments of a frameless food guard system, the lack of asupport structure in the embodiment of FIG. 7 facilitates easy andefficient cleaning of the system because inaccessible surfaces areminimized.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the exemplary embodiment 700 of aframeless food guard system depicted in FIG. 7. Many of the componentsshown in FIG. 8 are similar to those described relative to FIGS. 3 and4. The expansion connector components 720E are configured to positionadjacent panels in a substantially parallel plane whereas the exemplaryconnector components 720M are operable to position panel components insubstantially perpendicular planes. Notably, some embodiments of anexpansion connector component 720E may also position divider panels 710Din a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the main viewing panelcomponents. Also, exemplary foot connectors 725S and 725M can be shownwith exemplary fastener packages 725F exploded for illustrativepurposes.

FIG. 9 is a non-limiting example of a detachable accessory assemblysuitable for use with a frameless food guard system. More specifically,the exemplary detachable accessory assembly embodiment depicted in FIG.9 is of a food warmer and bracket system that may be secured, via theexemplary slip-style bracket components, along the edge of a framelessfood guard panel component. Notably, although the depicted detachableaccessory assembly comprises a food warmer component, one skilled in theart will understand that any number of accessories may be mechanicallycoupled to a frameless food guard system, or any food guard systemhaving an exposed panel edge for that matter, via a slip-style bracketor other bracket feature easily coupled with, and de-coupled from, apanel edge.

The exemplary detachable accessory assembly depicted in FIG. 9 is of afood warmer type 905 such as that typically known in the art forreceiving and retaining warming devices (details not shown). Theaccessory 905, or some other component comprised within a detachableaccessory assembly, may be configured to receive wiring from anelectrical power source via a flexible or rigid conduit 920, which maybe securable via any number of bracket 925 mechanisms known in the art.

FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of a frameless food guard system thatincorporates the exemplary food warmer type detachable accessoryassembly shown in FIG. 9. When mounted under the top panel 505 of aframeless food guard system, or other type of food guard system, thefood warmer 905 type detachable accessory assembly operates to positiona heat source over any food residing beneath the food guard system.Advantageously, a food warmer 905 type detachable accessory assemblysuch as that shown in FIG. 9 is useful for warming the area beneath thefood guard system so that the food product residing beneath the foodguard system remains at a suitable serving temperature.

A disadvantage of typical food warmer type accessory assemblies, andother food guard accessory assemblies known in the art, however, is thatthe bracket assemblies employed for mechanically coupling the accessoryto the various food guard systems is not easily coupled and de-coupledfor cleaning. Similar to what has been described relative to food guardframes, the addition of accessories can complicate cleaning proceduresbecause the accessory introduces numerous cracks and crevices that maycontain contamination sources. Further, assembly attachmentmethodologies presently known in the art are not easily removed forthorough sanitation. The exemplary detachable accessory assemblydepicted in FIGS. 9 and 10 comprises features and aspects that operateto overcome these limitations, and other limitations, of food guardaccessories known in the art.

Referring back to the FIG. 9 embodiment of a detachable accessoryassembly, a slip-style bracket 900 component is depicted fastened to theends of the food warmer accessory 905. The exemplary bracket 900comprises a support structure 910 having an extension 910E that operatesto suspend an attachment head 915 at a distance above the food warmeraccessory 905. Advantageously, when the attachment head 915 is incommunication with a food guard panel edge, the overall weight of thedetachable accessory assembly operates to place a moment arm on theattachment head 915, thereby securely suspending the overall assemblybeneath the panel.

More specifically, referring to FIG. 9 in conjunction with FIG. 10,which depicts the exemplary FIG. 9 detachable accessory assembly incommunication with an exemplary cafeteria style frameless food guardsystem such as the one described relative to FIG. 5, an attachment head915 comprising a top element 915T and a bottom element 915B separated bya gap 915G can be seen. The gap 915G is dimensioned such that it canslidably receive the back edge 505BE of the top panel component 505.Once the panel back edge 505BE is inserted into the gap 915G, the momentarm resulting from the weight of the accessory 905 operates to apply aforce, via the top element 915T, down onto the top of the food guardpanel 505. Once in communication with the food guard panel 505 in thisway, the bottom element 915B, in conjunction with a suitably sized gap915G, prevents the accessory from “swinging” away from the underside ofthe panel component 505.

Again, an advantage of such a detachable accessory assembly is that itcan be easily communicated and de-communicated from the food guardsystem without requiring the removal of fasteners. Additionally, theexemplary detachable accessory assembly doesn't require the structuralrigidity of the food guard panel be compromised with bored holes orother means that may be required for fixing accessory assembliescurrently known in the art to a food guard system.

It should be noted that some embodiments of a detachable accessoryassembly for food guard systems may comprise other bracket designsand/or attachment head configurations that vary from the exemplaryembodiment depicted and described relative to FIGS. 9 and 10. Theembodiment depicted and described relative to FIGS. 9 and 10 is offeredfor illustrative purposes only and will not be construed to limit thedisclosure concerning detachable accessory assemblies for food guardsystems. One skilled in the art will understand that a detachableaccessory assembly for food guard systems will comprise features andaspects, though possibly novel in and of themselves, that operate toposition a food guard accessory, such as a food warmer for example,relative to a food guard system panel component without requiring thatthe structural rigidity of the panel be compromised in any way. Forexample, attachment heads of various embodiments may include rubbercomponents or other high friction components useful for inhibiting thedetachable accessory assembly from slipping, pinching components,slip-fit components, set screws, squeezing mechanisms, spring-loadedmechanisms, or the like. Further, various embodiments of a detachableaccessory assembly for food guard systems may operate to place anaccessory in an advantageous position relative to any panel or componentcomprised within a food guard system such as, but not limited to, undera food guard panel, to the side of a food guard panel, over a food guardpanel, perpendicular to a food guard panel, parallel to a food guardpanel, etc.

FIG. 11 is another non-limiting example of a detachable accessoryassembly suitable for use with a frameless food guard system. Similar tothe exemplary embodiment depicted and described relative to FIG. 9, theembodiment depicted in FIG. 11 also comprises a slip-style style bracket1100 component, shown fastened to the ends of a light box accessory1105. The exemplary bracket 1100 comprises a support structure 1110 thatoperates to suspend an attachment head 1115 at a distance above thelight box accessory 1105. Advantageously, when the attachment head 1115is in communication with a food guard vertical panel edge, the weight ofthe light box or other applicable accessory operates to place a downwardforce on the attachment head, thereby securely suspending the accessorybeneath the panel.

More specifically, referring to FIG. 11 in conjunction with FIG. 12which depicts the exemplary FIG. 11 detachable accessory assembly incommunication with an exemplary cafeteria style frameless food guardsystem such as the one described relative to FIG. 5, an attachment head1115 comprising a gap 1115G can be seen. The gap 1115G is dimensionedsuch that it can slidably receive the top edge 510TE of the verticalside panel component 510. Once the panel top edge 510TE is inserted intothe gap 1115G, the downward force resulting from the weight of theaccessory 1105 operates to securely “hang” or suspend the accessorybetween two side panels.

The present frameless food guard systems have been described usingdetailed descriptions of embodiments thereof that are provided by way ofexample and are not intended to limit the scope of the system. Thedescribed embodiments comprise different features, not all of which arerequired in all embodiments of a frameless food guard system. Someembodiments of a frameless food guard system utilize only some of thefeatures or possible combinations of the features. Variations ofembodiments of a frameless food guard system that are described andembodiments of a frameless food guard system comprising differentcombinations of features noted in the described embodiments will occurto persons of the art.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that a framelessfood guard is not limited by what has been particularly shown anddescribed herein above. Rather, the scope of a frameless food guard isdefined by the claims that follow.

1. A frameless food guard system, the system comprising: a plurality ofpanel components, wherein at least one of the panel components is a loadbearing member of the system and is positioned to provide structuralsupport to an adjacent panel; and one or more connector components,wherein each of the one or more connector components operate to positionat least two panel components adjacently; and wherein the plurality ofpanel components and connector components operate to define a space overa surface.
 2. The frameless food guard system of claim 1, wherein theone or more connector components are separable from the panelcomponents.
 3. The frameless food guard system of claim 1, furthercomprising: one or more foot components, wherein the one or more footcomponents are mechanically coupled with at least one of the panelcomponents and configured to position the system relative to saidsurface.
 4. The frameless food guard system of claim 1, wherein one ormore connector components is configured to position at least two panelcomponents in substantially a same plane.
 5. The frameless food guardsystem of claim 1, wherein one or more connector components isconfigured to position at least two panel components in substantiallyperpendicular planes.
 6. The frameless food guard system of claim 5,wherein one of the two panel components is positioned such that itoverlaps the juxtaposed edge of an adjacently positioned panelcomponent.
 7. The frameless food guard system of claim 1, wherein one ormore of the connector components further comprises a gasket component.8. The frameless food guard system of claim 1, wherein one or more ofthe connector components feature chamfered edges.
 9. The frameless foodguard system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of panel componentscomprises: at least one main viewing panel component, wherein said mainviewing panel component is positioned at an angle to said surface andoperates to provide a barrier to access to the space defined by thesystem.
 10. The frameless food guard system of claim 9, wherein theplurality of panel components further comprises: at least one side panelcomponent, wherein the side panel component is positioned substantiallyperpendicular to the main viewing panel component such that asubstantially vertical edge of the side panel component is overlapped bya surface of the main viewing panel component.
 11. The frameless foodguard system of claim 10, further comprising: at least one top panelcomponent, wherein the top panel component is positioned substantiallyparallel to said surface.
 12. A scalable and frameless food guard systemoperable to define a space over a surface, the system comprising: aplurality of panel components, wherein: at least one of the panelcomponents is a load bearing member of the system and is positioned toprovide structural support to an adjacent panel; at least two of thepanel components are main viewing panel components positioned at anangle to said surface and configured to provide a barrier to access tothe space defined by the system; at least one of the panel components isa side panel component, wherein the side panel component is positionedsubstantially perpendicular to said at least two main viewing panelcomponents; and one or more connector components, wherein: each of theone or more connector components operates to position at least two panelcomponents adjacently; and at least one of the connector components isconfigured to position the at least two main viewing panel components ina substantially common plane.
 13. The scalable and frameless food guardsystem of claim 12, wherein at least one or more of the connectorcomponents are configured to position at least one or more additionalmain viewing panels in a substantially common plane with the at leasttwo main viewing panels.
 14. The scalable and frameless food guardsystem of claim 12, wherein at least one or more of the connectorcomponents are configured to position two main viewing panel componentsin a substantially common plane and a side panel component in adifferent plane.
 15. The scalable and frameless food guard system ofclaim 14, wherein the at least one or more connector componentsconfigured to position two main viewing panel components in asubstantially common plane and a side panel component in a differentplane further operates to position the edge of the side panel componentin substantial alignment with a gap between the adjacent edges of themain viewing panel components.
 16. The scalable and frameless food guardsystem of claim 12, further comprising one or more foot components,wherein the one or more foot components are in communication with apanel component and configured to position the system relative to saidsurface.
 17. The scalable and frameless food guard system of claim 12,wherein the one or more connector components are separable from thepanel components.
 18. The scalable and frameless food guard system ofclaim 12, wherein one or more of the connector components furthercomprises a gasket component.
 19. The scalable and frameless food guardsystem of claim 12, wherein one or more of the connector componentsfeature chamfered edges.
 20. The scalable and frameless food guardsystem of claim 12, further comprising at least one top panel component,wherein the top panel component is positioned substantially parallel tosaid surface.